By Jennifer K. Morita

August 23, 2024

President Luke Wood, faculty and staff formally welcomed more than 2,500 incoming Hornets and their loved ones to campus during New Student and Family Convocation on Aug. 22, marking the start of their academic journeys at Sacramento State.

“You did it. You made it,” Wood said. “Whether you came here as a transfer student from a community college, or are a beginning graduate student, or you just graduated from high school or took any other pathway to get here, we are proud of you.”

All newly admitted first-year, transfer and graduate students were invited to attend with their families and supporters. Students, family members and supporters packed the University Union Ballroom during two back-to-back ceremonies.

This was the second year the University has held Convocation for new students, a rite of passage symbolizing the beginning of their academic careers much the way Commencement marks the completion.

• See more Convocation photos in our gallery

The ceremony opened with a procession of University administrators and deans dressed in their formal academic regalia. Later, each dean formally recognized the new students entering their academic colleges.

“A little over 20 years ago, I began my journey here as a student at Sacramento State,” said Wood, who earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University. “I owe much of the foundation of my life and my work to Sacramento State.”

Wood rallied students and families to participate in a call and response as the ballroom chanted “Our Hive. Our Home.”

“This University belongs to you. You are not a guest. As of this moment, this is your hive. This is your home,” he said.

He also urged students to get involved in campus activities.

“Half of what you learn at Sacramento State occurs inside the classroom, but the other half occurs outside of the classroom, and that means getting involved with clubs, organizations, Greek life and student leadership, internships and community engagement,” he said.

Students were given “Hornet for Life” enamel pins, which their loved ones affixed to their lapels. They, in turn, gave their supporters pins that read “Hornet Family.”

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Jaytika Faridian brought her toddler daughter to Convocation to show her the importance of getting a college education. Faridian, who said she has a good job working at UC Davis, has an associate’s degree and decided to go back to school to set a good example for her daughter.

“I came here tonight for inspiration,” Faridian said. “I’m going to be doing a lot of my classes online, so I thought this would be a nice event to come to. It’s been years since I’ve been in a traditional college setting.”

For some families, Convocation served as a homecoming. Sacramento State alumni Cornell and Judy Yip drove to campus from Elk Grove as soon as they got off work to attend the ceremony with their daughter, Kendra, a Civil Engineering transfer student from Cosumnes River College.

“We both attended Sac State many years ago, and it’s changed so much,” Cornell Yip said. “Just walking from the parking structure to here, we can see big changes. I don’t even remember this ballroom.”

Kendra Yip, 19, said she wanted to find out more about University clubs and activities.

“I just wanted to get to know the school and what it has to offer,” she said. “I’m excited about starting classes on Monday, but I’m a little nervous, too. I’m trying to figure out my classes before I join anything because I don’t want to impact my schedule too much.”

Vice President for Student Affairs Aniesha Mitchell told the audience that the word “convocation” is Latin for coming together.

“It’s only fitting that on this day, we call together the faculty, staff and students to formally welcome and embrace you as the newest members to the Hornet family,” Mitchell said. “Everyone here today is committed to your success.”

Wood left students with a final piece of advice.

“Consider how you want to change the world,” he said. “I ask you to consider what is your purpose in this world? What is your calling?

“It’s not just about a degree, or your goals to become a scientist or business leader or artist or community leader. It’s about what you will do once you are empowered with that title to change the world.”